The Meaning and Origin of Drkušič
The name is a compound word, very typical of old Slavic descriptive surnames. It breaks down into two parts:
1. "Drk-": This root comes from the Slovene (and broader Slavic) verb "drkati".
2. "-uš-": A common Slavic suffix often used to form nouns or nicknames, sometimes with a diminutive or characteristic sense.
3. "-ič": The standard South Slavic patronymic suffix meaning "son/descendant of" or "little one of."
Therefore, Drkušič essentially means "son/descendant of the Drkuš."
The Key: What Does "Drkuš" Mean?
This is the crucial part. "Drkuš" is a nickname derived from the verb "drkati." In modern standard Slovene, "drkati" has a primary, somewhat vulgar meaning: "to masturbate."
However, and this is extremely important for surname etymology, the historical and dialectal meaning of the word was much broader and less charged. In older usage and in various dialects, "drkati" could mean:
· To knock, to tap, to make a repetitive clicking or rattling sound.
· To throb, to vibrate, to chatter (like teeth from cold).
· To work hastily or clumsily.
Thus, the nickname "Drkuš" likely described a person with a noticeable trait or behavior related to this action, such as:
· Someone who was a fidgeter, who tapped or knocked things constantly.
· A person who talked incessantly or chattered ("drkati z jezikom").
· Someone who worked in a hasty, rattling, or clumsy manner.
· Possibly a person who made or used a tool that made a knocking sound (like a woodpecker, or someone working a latch)
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